LAUSR

Abstract The present study reported the synthesis of low-cost ceramic membrane supports. They were prepared by an extrusion method using alumina/natural apatite blends and further consolidated by heat treatment. The chemical composition, structure and particle size of the starting materials were analyzed. The effect of the natural apatite content, as sintering agent, on the microstructure, porosity, flexural strength and linear shrinkage of the prepared supports were studied as a function of sintering temperature. The microstructure exhibited that the sintering temperature decreased with the increment of the apatite content. The porosity and the pore size were controlled by the sintering temperature and the apatite amount added to the starting mixture. The mechanical strength and the linear shrinkage increased with increasing the apatite and the firing temperature. The sample selected for filtration displayed good porosity (45.38%) and pore size of 1.35 μm giving a high permeability 959.64 L h−1m−2bar−1.